Asthma
Asthma, a chronic, heterogeneous respiratory disease primarily disrupts the bronchi within our lungs. These airways undergo inflammation, narrowing down the passage through which air travels to and from the lungs. Our company with a team of researchers and the employment of innovative technology aims to help you delve into the mechanisms underlying asthma and develop effective therapies.
Introduction to Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, marked by constant fluxes in airflow obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and airway inflammation. Individuals experiencing this disease report symptoms including shortness of breath, coughing, and increased mucus secretion upon contact with allergens. However, asthma is not a uniform disease; its classification into various phenotypes aids in designing personalized therapeutics that target the specific needs of the individual.
Fig.1 Interplay between risk factors, endotypes, and phenotypes in severe asthma. (Schoettler, N., and Strek, M. E., 2020)Pathogenesis of Asthma
The pathogenesis of asthma is a complex fusion of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental variables. The resultant pathological changes are mediated by a multitude of cells, chief among them being airway epithelial cells, eosinophils, and varieties of T lymphocytes. Within the T lymphocytes, helper T cells (Th2) are the dominant force in hypereosinophilic asthma, coupled with elevated levels of pivotal cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13.
Fig.2 Th1, Th2, and Th17 underlying pathophysiology for asthma with potential biomarkers. (Gans, M. D., and Gavrilova, T., 2020)Biomarkers for Asthma Diagnostics
The complexity of this disease necessitates the discovery of newer and more practical biomarkers for facilitating an improved diagnosis, clearer classification, and the realization of personalized therapeutic for asthma individuals.
- Eosinophils
- IgE
- Neutrophils
- FeNO
- Periostin
- LTE4
Therapeutics of Asthma
Small Molecule Drugs Therapy
Conventional small molecule drug therapy encompasses inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting muscarinic agents, and Leukotriene modifiers that are primarily geared towards reducing bronchial contraction and controlling airway inflammation.
Gene Therapy
Using CRISPR/Cas9 and RNAi techniques to target and correct asthma-causing genetic disruptions; for instance, abnormalities in the GATA3 gene, which plays a key role in directing Th2 cell differentiation and function.
Monoclonal Antibodies Therapy
The use of monoclonal antibodies, including anti-IL-5 (mepolizumab, reslizumab, and benralizumab), anti-IgE (omalizumab), and anti-IL-4R (dupilumab) therapy, has shown promising results in significantly reducing the release of inflammatory mediators and ameliorating individual symptoms.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is also a promising strategy including subcutaneous immunotherapy or sublingual immunotherapy. The overarching mechanism of this is that immunotherapy helps skew the immune response from a Th2 process to a Th1 process, proving to be of potential benefit in managing asthma.
Our Services
Our company is steeped in experience and boasting of a workforce deeply versed in disease research areas. We provide a comprehensive array of services — from the formulation of animal models to the creation of robust therapeutic platforms — engineered to bolster your exploration of asthma's potential mechanisms.
Platforms of Asthma Therapy Development
Animal Models of Asthma
Animal models are the core of understanding the pathophysiology and mechanisms of action with asthma. We can offer an extensive spectrum of animal models to help you deeper understanding of asthma's pathophysiology and catalyze the development of versatile therapeutics strategies.
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| Animals are sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA), a protein found in egg whites, by injection or inhalation. Subsequent exposure to ovalbumin triggers an asthmatic response, including airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, and mucus production. | ||
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| Allergen-induced Models | ||
| Animals are sensitized and challenged with various allergens, such as house dust mites, pollen, or fungal extracts, to mimic allergic asthma. | ||
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| Genetically Engineered Models | ||
| Gene editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 have been used to create animal models of asthma, which can greatly help in the understanding of pathological changes in the lung during asthma and provide a platform for testing potential therapeutic agents. | ||
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| Optional Species | Mice, Rats, Guinea Pig, Rabbit, Non-Human Primates, Others | |
Our company can offer all-encompassing services ensuring a smooth transition from research to development, to support your pharmacokinetics analysis and drug safety evaluation. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details and quotation information of related services.
References
- Schoettler, Nathan, and Mary E Strek. "Recent Advances in Severe Asthma: From Phenotypes to Personalized Medicine." Chest 157.3 (2020): 516-528.
- Gans, Melissa D, and Tatyana Gavrilova. "Understanding the immunology of asthma: Pathophysiology, biomarkers, and treatments for asthma endotypes." Paediatric respiratory reviews 36 (2020): 118-127.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.